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Need help with your car rental? Phone: 1888-463-8946
Need help with your car rental?
Phone: 1888-463-8946

Grace Period for Car Rental Returns

Grace period for car rental returns in CA banner

It is recommended that you return your rental car before the scheduled drop-off time, or you may be charged for an extra day's rental. However, please note that your return location may allow a limited grace period but this is entirely at its discretion.

Most rental agencies provide renters an additional 29 minute grace periods for unforeseen circumstances, with the exception of Dollar, Fox and Thrifty. Usually, if the rental is not back in that grace period they would charge at around one third to one half of the daily rate per hour. Some charge the full day after the grace period. All insurances are charged at the full day rate even if the vehicle is only one hour past check out time. We recommend you ask the rental staff to write on the Rental Agreement the very latest you can return without going into the next day charges.

To help you further understand the grace period for car rental returns and corresponding penalties, check out this brief overview.

AgencyGrace PeriodPenalties
Alamo29 minutesHourly charge for every full and partial hour late
Avis29 minutes30+ minutes: ¾ day's charge
90+ minutes: full day's charge
Budget29 minutes30+ minutes: hourly rate
90+ minutes: full day's charge
7+ hours: additional $10/day fee on top of everything else
DollarNone$15.99 charge per day late on top of daily rate
Enterprise29 minutes30+ minutes: ¼ daily rate per hour
2+ hours: full day's charge
Fox59 minutes60+ minutes: hourly charge
3+ hours: full day's charge
Hertz29 minutes30+ minutes: hourly rate
2+ hours: full day's charge
National29 minutes30+ minutes: hourly rate
2+ hours: full day's charge
Payless29 minutes30+ minutes: hourly rate that starts from minute one
ThriftyNoneImmediately charged hourly rate
24+ hours: charged daily rate

Please Note: Price charges and grace periods are subject to change at any time without notice.

Read more about returning your rental car.